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"What the hell is this!?" Seraph yelled once the main course was served, slamming her palms against the table and standing up abruptly.
"What's wrong, dear?" Delana questioned.
"There's nuts in this!" She yelled, her porcelain complexion that she inherited from the queen flushing red with anger. "I'm allergic to nuts! Whoever had the audacity to serve such a thing come forward this instant!"
(Y/N)'s eyes widened.
It was her fault.
She had mixed up the plates.
With every bone in her body, she didn't want to step forward, but she knew she had to.
"Your Highness, this is entirely my fault," she spoke up as she stepped forward, even dropping to one knee to push forward a sincere image. "I give my humblest apologies for having offended you. As I am new, I have made the disastrous mistake of switching yours and the Prince's food. I humbly ask your forgiveness."
Seraph stared at her, blinking in surprise.
She then blushed scarlet.
To her, (Y/N) looked like an attractive young man who was kneeling before her, begging for forgiveness. Biting her lower lip, Seraph cleared her throat and looked away from (Y/N)'s figure, straightening out her gown and her expressions to maintain a cool head.
"You may rise," she sighed, placing the pads of her fingertips against her forehead.
"Thank you, Your Highness," (Y/N) spoke.
"You have earned my forgiveness after pleading so, but you still must be properly punished," Seraph continued as she approached (Y/N), grasping her chin before turning her face each way in a style like that of a purchasable product. "Your face is nice, so we should spare that, at least."
(Y/N)'s lips twitched.
"Sister..." Adrian began, clasping Seraph's shoulder with a strained smile painting his lips. "What are you doing?"
"What do you mean 'what am I doing?'" Seraph pouted, removing her hand from (Y/N)'s face and crossing her arms over her chest in an almost defiant manner. "This servant made a mistake, so it's only right that I give punishment. Isn't that what you've always told me to do, Brother?"
"Hm..." Adrian hummed, his smile however tightening to an uncomfortable degree.
The two stared at each other in silence, the air seeming to crackle with tension that made (Y/N) standing in between them shift uncomfortably.
"Adrian, Seraph, stop this nonsense," Kandef sighed as he stood up to approach them, his fingers stroking his beard that accentuated the frown on his lips. "Let us not argue over a mere servant's fate—especially during this hour we are allowed to spend together as a family. If anything, Oman should be able to handle this affair swiftly and justly, wouldn't you agree?"
"Father, I'm perfectly capable of handling the servant that's been put under my jurisdiction," Adrian exhaled in obvious irritation. "We do not need to get Basile involved."
"He's a wonderful advisor—I don't see why not."
"Father, I—"
"Adrian," Kandef held up his hand, immediately silencing whatever Adrian's protests might have been. "I understand why we must stay diligent in looking over one's own servants. However, this servant has claimed to make a mistake that could have been intentional. Now, Oman has hired all of the servants, including this man, here. He will give good judgement on what to do with him. Do I make myself clear?"
Adrian inhaled sharply, his fists tightening.
Finally, he uttered out rather sharply, "I understand, Father."
"Good," Kandef nodded. "Let's begin."
With a snap of his fingers, Kandef was able to employ two guards to sweep forward out of nowhere and grab (Y/N) tightly by her arms, forcing her down in a way that they could control. With that, the King and Queen, along with their two children, and (Y/N), walked down the lavish halls towards Basile's office. Kandef and Delana entered, yet Adrian, Seraph, and (Y/N) were forced to stay outside.
This didn't bode too well with Adrian.
It was obvious he was agitated from his tense form, and though (Y/N) was apprehensive to it, she also was intimidated by the pining stares she was receiving from Seraph.
It was a rather foreboding situation.
One she never wanted to be in.
Yet, from one little slip up she had overlooked, she was now in said situation.
She internally groaned.
God, I'm tired.
I really need a goddamn nap right now.
"Wow... your skin is so smooth and clear for a man..." Seraph commented, resorting to sliding a nail down (Y/N)'s face which the guards holding her up didn't even bat an eye to.
"Excuse me, your Highness, but someone like me is not worth the touch of your hand," (Y/N) spoke as she jerked her head to the side to alleviate herself of the ghost-like touch.
"Oh, my," the Princess merely gasped in delight from (Y/N)'s rather sweet and romantic words, clasping her hands together with a small, almost musical giggle that resounded through the air. "Even your words are as handsome as your features! I do hope Mother and Father won't kill you for something I have long past forgiven."
"I... see..." (Y/N) coughed, her strained tone garnering Adrian's attention. "Thank you, then, Your Highness... for your well-wishes."
"Of course!" Seraph chirped.
"Seraph," Adrian spoke up from where he stood, his amber eyes cutting into his sister in a way it made her physically flinch. "While this servant may have your interests now, it will only wear off as it has the last five other ones. Please don't make a disgrace of the royal family once again."
Seraph recoiled at his words, hurt.
(Y/N) stared at Adrian, at a loss for words over how cold he sounded.
When sheet him sweeping the courtyard and even when she had cleaned up the bodies from his room, he didn't seem this frosty—perhaps stoic and a stickler for rules, but not like this. She averted her eyes when his met hers, deciding it not even worth her time to mull over. After all, she had no idea who Adrian was, nor would she pretend to care. If his family matters were frigid, she would not involve herself in them.
Her attention was then diverted to the doors of Basile's office that suddenly opened, Kandef and Delana exiting the space.
"Adrian, Seraph, we have come to a conclusion," Kandef announced to his two children before turning to (Y/N). "I have spoken with Basile, and he has vouched for this man. However, for the mistake he has made which very well could have cost the Princess her life, he will be sentenced a month of labor building the new library that's been in construction for Seraph's upcoming birthday. Is that suitable for the two of you?"
"Yes," Adrian replied rigidly, eyeing (Y/N) from the corner of his eye. "It is."
"Yes, Father," Sereph chimed in.
"Then it's settled," Kandef clapped his hands, the two guards on either side of (Y/N) immediately releasing her.
(Y/N) rubbed her wrists, frowning.
Well...
It could've been worse.
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